This one is a proper real chat with Jenny Mitchell. Straight talking, no fluff, plenty of laughs, and a few “yep, been there” moments.

We kick off talking about the kind of “free” events that are not really free (you know the ones), and then Jenny takes us into her story. From running a cleaning business, to stepping in and taking the lead on the serviced accommodation business during lockdown, to building a niche in contract bookings and long term stays.

But it’s not just business. We go into the messy midlife mix too. Menopause, ADHD diagnosis later in life, and why so many women are only now realising what’s been going on under the bonnet for years. Jenny’s big message is simple. Stop using labels as the reason you cannot. Put your big girls pants on, build the systems, and keep punching.

And yes, we end with a quick rapid fire, including Jenny’s current favourite book recommendation (and it is a spicy one).

The best bits

“Ropey courses” and the aggressive upsell that makes you want to call a cab
Jenny’s lockdown pivot and the rock bottom caravan chapter
Why she avoids the Airbnb hamster wheel and focuses on direct contract bookings
The menopause conversation that led into ADHD being flagged via a questionnaire
Jenny’s take on ADHD being a superpower if you learn how to handle it
The reality of getting out of the weeds, and why her Ops Manager was a game changer
Money talk, unapologetically, plus doing good work through contracts that support vulnerable people

Key takeaways

1) Your pivot might start in survival mode

Jenny did not build this business from a perfectly planned strategy. It grew through lockdown pressure, key worker stays, and a willingness to learn fast and step up.

2) Niche beats noise

She is clear that her lane is direct bookings and longer stays, building relationships with companies, not chasing holiday maker bookings.

3) Training matters, not “I did a free course so I’m an expert now”

Jenny calls out the illusion of competence. If you do not truly know your stuff, you cannot sell it properly.

4) Midlife can be the moment you finally understand yourself

Menopause. ADHD. That constant mental load. This chat will land for a lot of women who have spent years thinking they were “just a bit much” or “not normal”.

5) Systems buy your freedom

Lists, structure, and support. Jenny’s proof point is being able to run the business from her phone, and still live her life.

Quotable quotes

“On one of those ropey courses… and then someone wants to march you to the back of the room.”
“We sold a family home before the lockdown, and we lived in a caravan… we’ve been rock bottom.”
“Big girls pants on and just keep punching.”
“They take a free day course… ‘I’m a professional now, I’ve got a certificate.’ Yeah, it’s bollocks.”
“I like doing direct bookings. That’s my niche.”
“It’s a superpower. You’ve just got to know how to handle it.”
“I wake up at one in the morning sometimes, and my list is going.”
“People don’t want to put the work in. They want you to come along and make it all better.”
“Life’s too short, isn’t it?”
“I can run my business from my phone… living the best life.”

That book - here's the deets

The Power of the Pussy: Get What You Want From Men: Love, Respect, Commitment and More! - Kara King

Connect with Jenny

If you want to connect with Jenny about serviced accommodation, contract bookings, or getting support from her team (including Ops Manager support), check out her links below:

Contact : +441403599341

Instagram: jensm70

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jenny.mitchell.1481

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-mitchell-7886b079/

Website: www.topstayhosting.com

And if you’re sat there thinking, “I need to get out of the weeds too”, and you want 1:1 support with clarity, structure, and growth, you know where I am. Drop me a message and we’ll have a proper conversation.- here's the link to book an exploratory call with me - https://tinyurl.com/BookACallWithToni

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Jenny Mitchell on serviced accommodation, resilience, menopause, ADHD and living your best life